apps

Your phone notifications show a preview of new messages 

Even when your phone is locked, new messages are previewed on your locked screen and anyone near your phone can read them. To disable this feature: 

iPhone:                WhatsApp settings > Notifications > Show Preview – and turn it off. 

Android:              WhatsApp settings > Notifications > Pop up notification > No pop up 

Automatically saving images and videos that you receive 

Mobile phones are getting smarter, but are we? You might want to take these simple steps to secure your phones. 

1. Set the magic number 

Setting up a passcode is the easiest way to protect the data stored inside your phone. 

Most parents share photos of their children, especially their newborn, online. Some do it to simply share the growth of their children with relatives and friends who live far away. 

The mistake parents fail to see is that they have created an online presence for their child without their consent. The photos may be cute now but in 10 years, what will your child think of the photo that you shared of them crying? 

Think before you post 

Location Based Services (LBS) is a technology widely used to identify a smartphone device’s geographical location.   Smartphones have a built-in feature which uses GPS and cell tower locations to pinpoint your approximate location. This allows you to post your exact location through social media or other apps.   

There are growing locations-based applications (apps) and games that allow you to tell others where you are and what you are doing. For example, many social media apps allow you to type in your location or post your position on a map.  

Passwords are the first line of defense to keep other people out of your computer, mobile phone, data and online accounts and this is why we must learn how to create strong passwords to protect ourselves. Unfortunately, many of the passwords people use are short and simple or have been used for a long period of time and for multiple accounts. Think of your password like a house key – it enables you to lock up your house, but you have to keep the key in a safe location. 

Basic guide to creating strong passwords 

People tend to have a lot of different applications on their smartphones and computers just to kill time. However, there are a few things to look out for to ensure your safety and security. 

What are apps? 

Apps (or applications) are programs that can be used on a mobile device, and are often great sources of news, education, lifestyle or entertainment such as games and social networking. They can be downloaded cheaply or even for free on computers, mobile devices and even some TVs.